Remote control system



United States Patent Inventors Jeff Y. Cromeens Mesquite, and Thomas E. Clyce, Garland, Texas Appl. No. 765,290 Filed Oct. 7, 1968 Patented Nov. 10, 1970 Assignee Industrial Woodworking Machine Co., Inc.

Garland, Texas a corporation of Texas REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM 6 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

U.S.Cl.... 91/1, 9l/36,9l/4l 1:92/151 Int. Cl F0lh31/12 Field of Search 91/41 1,

167. 36. 1.411(A): l43/(C0nsidered) [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,561,341 11/1925 Martin 91/167X 2,714,906 8/1955 Peterson... 91/167X 2,969,042 1/1961 Litz et a1. 91/167X 3,187,637 6/1965 Edmund... 91/167X 3,266,377 8/1966 Panissidi... 91/167X 3,422,538 1/1969 Panissidi 91/167X Primary Examiner Edgar W. Geoghegan AttorneySchley and Schley ABSTRACT: Electrohydraulic remote control system for positioning a gang of saws or other group of related elements or mechanisms relative to one another and including a hydraulic actuator for setting each saw blade in accordance with the desired positioning of a guide or shadow line of a remote indicating assembly relative to the lumber to be sawn.

lad K75 CONTROL PANEL NVD. PRESSURE Patented No v. 10, 1910 3,538,813

I37 Ly CONTROL ANEL VE T HYD. PRESSURE INVENTORS 7 Jeff Y. Cromeens Thomas E- Clyce ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 10, 1970 Sheet' "Jeff Y. Cromeens Thomas E. Clyce m t-riiiiim55:5! 20 ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 10, 1970 Sheet. 3... of 4 S S m m mm A VF mm Patented Nov.

8 R. o T m w B, m w WE. 5 Cs QW VLO m h wT 4 r o Nw aw QN N Q a & m Q mm t e e h s 0 7 9 1 0 1 ATTORNEYS REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of The Invention Remote control systems for automatically positioning a group of related elements or mechanisms relative to each other.

2. Description Of The Prior Art Heretofore, positioning devices have consisted of a set of separate individual cylinders connected to one another to provide the desired dimensional actuation with a rod locking device being mounted externally of the cylinders and consisting of a pair of semicircular clamping blocks and of a pressure applying device. Remote indicating means for the positioning devices were actuated by cables and sheaves or by mechanical linkage to said positioning devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a novel electrohydraulic remote control system for positioning a gang of saws or other group of related elements or mechanisms relative to one another and including a hydraulic or other pressure fluid cylinder for setting each saw blade in response to the actuation of a hydraulic or other pressure fluid cylinder of a remote indicating assembly which includes a guide or shadow line for each saw blade associated with and adapted to be positioned by one of the remote indicating cylinders relative to the lumber to be sawn. Each positioning cylinder has a plurality of coacting linear pistons of varying strokes for imparting incremental movement to a saw setting member and means for locking the member in set positions during any movement of the pistons to new adjusted positions relative to one another. Each remote indicating cylinder has a pressure responsive barrel for imparting movement to one of the shadow lines in accordance with the condition of the lumber. A constant pressure cylinder is common to all of the remote indicating cylinders for maintain-,

ing the barrels thereof in adjusted positions and permitting rapid movement of such barrels as well as minimize, if not completely eliminate, differential indicating errors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a schematic plan view of a remote control system constructed in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, broken, schematic, longitudinal sectional view, partly in elevation, of a positioning cylinder with its saw setting rod retracted and unlocked, a constant pressure cylinder and a remote indicating cylinder having connection with the endless cable of the remote indicating mechanism,

FIG. 3 is a view, similar to FIG. 2, showing the rod of the positioning cylinder and the barrel of the remote indicating cylinder in partially protracted positions,

FIG. 4 is a view, similar to FIG. 2, showing retraction of the pistons of the positioning cylinder, with its rod locked, and retraction of the barrel of the remote indicating cylinder,

FIG. 5 is a view, similar to FIG. 2, showing another protracted position of the positioning rod and remote indicating barrel,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, plan view of a portion of the remote indicator, two of its cylinders and the constant pressure cylinder,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, longitudinal sectional view of one of the remote indicating cylinders,

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, longitudinal sectional view of the constant pressure cylinder, and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, broken, longitudinal sectional view of the outer end portion of the positioning cylinder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT positioning a gang of circular saws 4 or other group of related 1 elements or mechanisms relative to one another. For clarity of illustration, only one pair each of the positioning cylinders or actuators 3 and saws 4 are shown; however, any practicable quantity may be employed with an actuator or cylinder being provided for each saw blade ,or other element. The remote indicating assembly 2 has two or more coacting, coaxial hydraulic or other pressure fluid actuators or cylinders 5 and 6 connected to its two or more endless cables 7 and 8 (one for each saw blade or other element) which are arranged in complementary C-shaped configurations, being trained over a plurality of sheaves 9 and 10 at the corners of such configurations. A pair of parallel guide or shadow lines 11 and 12 extend perpendicularly between and are connected at 13 and 14 to the shorter, transverse, parallel portions or arms of the cables 7 and 8, respectively, for lateral movement toward and away from the longitudinal or web portions of said cables upon travel of the latter. An open, horizontal, rectangular frame 15, of greater length than width and of channel shape in cross section (FIG. 8), is provided for rotatably supporting the sheaves 9 and 10 in spaced overlying relation to an endless conveyor 16 of the belt type.

As best shown in FIG. 6, horizontal, flat, crossbars or arms 17 and 18 extend perpendicularly between and are secured to the right-hand or inner ends of the remote indicating cylinders or actuators 5 and 6 and the longitudinal or web portions of the cables 7 and 8, which cable portions are parallel to said cylinders or actuators as well as to the longitudinal portion of the frame 15 -upon which said cylinders or actuators are mounted. The inwardly-extending ends of the crossbars l7 and 18 are fastened adjustably by screws 19 and 20 to turnbuckles 21 and 22, respectively, which join the ends of the cables, while the outwardly-extending ends of said crossbars are secured by screws 23 and 24 to the upper ends of vertical or upright end plates 25 and 26 (FIG. 7) from which the cylinders 5 and 6 project. The cylinders are identical (FIG. 9) and each has a tubular barrel 27 and a cylindrical rodlike piston or plunger 28 reciprocably mounted in the barrel so as to project from the left-hand end thereof.

An enlarged, circular head 29 is formed on the inner end of the plunger 28 which has a reduced, screwthreaded outer extremity 30. For sealing off between the plunger and barrel, a packing gland 31 of the bearing type is confined in the outer end portion of said, barrel and may have external and internal O-rings 32. If desired, the barrel 27 and gland 31 may have a relief vent 33 to prevent the entrapment of pressure fluid. A cylindrical plug 34, having anaxial, outwardly-opening, screwthreaded bore or socket 35, engages within and closes the inner end of the barrel. Adjacent the plug 34, the barrel 27 has a pressure fluid port 36 communicating with an internally screwthreaded nipple or connector 37. A plugged bleed orifice 38 may be provided opposite the port 36.

As shown in FIG. 6, the remote indicating cylinder 5 has the reduced extremity 30 of its plunger 28 projecting through an opening in an upright or vertical plate 39, which extends laterally forward from the frame 15, and is adjustably fixed to the plate by a pair of jamb nuts 40. For supporting the inner end of the cylinder 5, the plunger extremity of the cylinder 6 projects through an opening in the plate 25 and is screwthreaded into the socket 35 of the plug 34 of said cylinder 5. A suitable lock nut 41 permits adjustable connection of the plunger and socket while preventing accidental separation thereof. A coaxial, constant pressure cylinder 42 is associated with the cylinders 5 and 6 for coacting therewith and includes a similar barrel 43 and a similar rodlike piston or plunger 44 which has its reduced extremity 45 projecting through an opening in the plate 26 and screwthreaded into the socket 35 of the plug 34 (not shown) of said cylinder 6 so as to support the end thereof (FIG. 7) in the same manner as said cylinder '5.

As shown in FIG. 10, the plunger 44 of the cylinder 42 has an enlarged, circular flange or head 46 on its inner end and a packing gland 47 of the bearing type, having external and internal O-rings 48, is confined in the outer end portion of the barrel 43 for sealing off around said plunger. Usually, the barrel and gland are provided with a relief vent 49. The inner end of the barrel 43 is closed by a plug 50, similar to the plug 34 and having a similar socket 51. Adjacent the plug 50, a radial pressure fluid port 52 is formed in the barrel in communication with an internally screwthreaded nipple or connection 53. The socket 51 of the plug is adapted to be engaged by a stud bolt 54 (FIG. 6) having jamb nuts 55 thereon for adjustment relative to an upright or vertical supporting plate 56 which extends laterally forward from the frame and through an opening of which the bolt projects.

A horizontal guide member or rail 57 is secured by a pair of short, upright or vertical arms or bars 58 (FIG. 6-8) in spaced, parallel relation to the front longitudinal portion of the frame 15 so as to underlie the crossbars 17 and 18. Each of the latter has underlying, horizontal guide rollers 59 rotatably mounted on upright or vertical pivot pins 60, which may be in the form of bolts and nuts, for engaging the opposed flat sides of the rail 57; while a vertical roller 61 is rotatably supported by an angular bracket 62 carried by each crossbar for riding on the tip of said rail so as to support said crossbar for movement with the endless cable 7 or 8 to which it is connected. Another horizontal roller 63 rides on the lower margin of the front side of the rail and is rotatably mounted on an upright pivot pin 64, of the bolt and nut type, which is carried by the inner end of an arm or bar underlying and projecting inwardly from the plate 2s.

A horizontal, cylindrical rod 66 underlies the constant pressure cylinder 42 and is supported by having its left-hand end projecting through an opening in the lower portion of the upright plate (FIG. 7) which depends from the crossbar 18, being adjustably fixed relative to said plate by a pair of coacting jamb nuts 67. The rod 66 is movable with the crossbar and has a vertically-split block 68 frictionally clamped therearound by a pair of upper and lower screws 69. As shown in FIG. 8, a helical spring 70 is confined on each screw 69 to permit adjustment of the frictional engagement of the slide block 68 with the rod for limited movement therewith. A yoke or bracket 71, having enlarged, depending end end portions 72, overlies the slide block for coacting therewith and is suspended from the cylinder barrel 43 by a pair ofinverted V- bolts 73 extending through the end portions and fastened thereto by suitable nuts 7 A limit or stop screw 75 projects horizontally through each enlarged end portion 72 of the yoke 71 for adjustable engagement with one end of the slide block 68 and carries a lock nut 76.

As will be explained, a pressure-sensitive switch 77 for rei lieving the pressure in the constant pressure cylinder 42 is mounted at the right-hand end of the slide block so as to be actuated by movement of the rod 66 with the crossbar 18 toward the right. The switch 77 may be suitably supported by a bracket 78 which projects forwardly from the frame 15 beneath the arm 65.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 11, each of the positioning cylinders 3 includes a tubular barrel 79 having an actuating rod 80 projecting from its left-hand or outer end for connection by a bracket 81 to one of the saws 1. Although not illustrated in detail, each saw is splined on a common shaft 82 (FIG. 1) for rotation therewith and sliding movement longitudinally thereof. The shaft 82 has its end portions journaled in suitable bearings 83 and is driven through a belt and pulley assembly 84 by a motor 85. Each bracket 81 if of substantially C-shape and has a clevislike arm or portion 86 for slidably receiving the shaft and loosely confining one of the saws 4. The rod 80 of each cylinder may have its outer end reduced and adjustably fixed to its bracket by a pair of jamb nuts 87 (FIG. 11) and has a piston 88 screwthreaded on its reduced inner end, being fixed thereto by a diametric pin 89. For venting the bore of the cylinder bore inwardly of the piston 88, an axial bore 90 extends from the inner end of the rod 80 to a radial port 91 in the outer portion of said rod externally of the barrel 79.

An annular cap 92 is screwthreaded on the outer extremity of the barrel for coacting with a flanged, glandlike bearing 93 to confine a rod locking assembly 94 in a counterbore 95 formed in the outer end portion of said barrel. As shown at 96 in FIG. 11, the external flange of the bearing 93 is confined between a retainer ring 97 and the radial shoulder at the inner end of the counterbore so as to prevent inward displacement of said bearing as well as of the lock assembly 94. The latter includes a pair of coacting members 93 and 99 having external and internal, complementary frustoconical wedge faces 100 and 101, respectively. An external radial flange 102 is provided on the outer extremity of the outer lock member 98 for confinement between the barrel 79 and cap 92 to prevent longitudinal movement of said member and preferably, the members 98 and 99 are loosely connected by radial pin and slot means 103 to prevent separation thereof prior to installation of the lock assembly.

As shown by numeral 104, the frustoconical portion of the outer lock member is split longitudinally to provide a plurality of resilient fingers or tongues for frictional engagement with the rod 80 upon inward flexing thereof. The wedge faces 100 and 101 of the lock members coact to form a race for confining a plurality of spherical wedge elements or balls 105 therebetween whereby said members are locked together and to the rod upon outward movement of the inner member 99 toward the outer member 98. O-rings 106, similar to the 0- rings 32 and 48, are interposed between the peripheral surfaces of the cylinder barrel 79, piston 88, rod 80, hearing 93, counterbore 95 and the lock members for sealing off therebetween.

A complementary piston 107 is adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with the piston 88 by a longitudinally slotted rod 108 (FIG. 11) which has its inner portion telescoped within the complementary, outwardly-extending, tubular rod 109 of an inwardly-disposed piston 110, as shown in FIGS. 2-5 wherein the cylinders 3, 5 and 42 are illustrated schematically. As pointed out hereinbefore, one of the positioning cylinders 3 and one of the remote indicating cylinders 5 or 6 are provided for each saw 4 and the single constant pressure cylinder-42 coacts with all of the remote indicating cylinders which are mounted in tandem (FIGS. 1 and 6). Referring again to FIGS. 2-5, the tubular rod 109 projects through an annular bulkhead or partition 111 and the piston has a slotted rod 112 extending inwardly therefrom for telescoping within a complementary tubular rod 113. A piston 114i is provided on the inner end of the tubular rod 113 and has an inwardly-extending, slotted rod 115 telescoped within the tubular rod 116 or a piston 117 from which a slotted rod 118 extends inwardly for telescoping within the tubular rod 1 19 or a piston 120.

It is noted that each positioning cylinder may contain any feasible quantity of pistons and associated rods for varying the projection of the saw setting rod 80 and that the rods usually vary in effective length to permit incremental transverse adjustment of the saw position. For example, the rods 112-113, 115116 and 118-4119 progressively decrease in length whereby the rods at the inner end of the cylinder 3 may have a minimum effective length as shown at 121 in FIG. 2. Also, the inner endmost-piston 122 is stationary and functions as an end wall. Although not numbered in FIGS. 2-5, the pistons 107, 110, 114, 117 and as well as the partition 111 are provided with the P-rings 106 or similar sealing means. Suitable diametric pins 123 connect the slotted and .tubular rods so as to permit limited relative movement thereof.

Referring again to FIG. 11, the cylinder barrel 79 has a pair of radial ports 124 which are similar to the ports 36 and 52 of the cylinder barrels 27 and 43 (FIGS. 9 and and which communicate with similar nipples or connections 125. One of the ports 124 opens into the counterbore 95, while the other of said ports communicates with the cylinder bore between the piston 88 and bearing 93. As shown in FIGS. 2-5, similar pressure fluid connectors or nipples 126 are provided for establishing communications with the cylinder bore at opposite sides of the partition 111 and between the pistons 110, 114, 117, 120 and 122. Fluid under pressure is supplied to the nipples 125 and all but one of the connectors 126 by a plurality of inlet lines or tubes 127, 129, 131 and 133 (FIG. 1) and is exhausted therefrom through vent lines or tubes 128, 130, 132 and-134. These lines are arranged in coacting pairs 127-128, 129-130, 131-132 and 133-134 which are respectively connected to common solenoid valves 135-138; the valve 135 is of the four-way type, while the other valves are of the two-way type.

A line or tube 139 connects the valve 135 to the endmost nipple 125, and a forked or Y-tube or line 140 extends from said valve to the other nipple 125, and the adjacent connector 126 (FIG. 1). The next connector, which is inwardly of the partition 111, communicates through a line or tube 142 with the nipples 37 (FIG. 9) of the remote indicating cylinder 5 or 6. Similar lines or tubes 143-145 extend between the other connectors and valves 136-138, respectively. The lines 127 and 128, which respectively communicate with the inlet lines 129, 131 and 133 and with the vent lines 130, 132, and 134, extend to a two-way solenoid valve 146 that is connected by a line or tube 147 to the nipple 53 (FIG. 10) of the constant pressure cylinder 42.

Since the electrical circuitry is more or less conventional, it is believed unnecessary to describe the same. It is noted, however, that all of the solenoid valves as well as the pressure-sensitive switch 77 are electrically connected by suitable leads to a conventional control panel 148. As shown by the broken lines 149 in FIG. 1, a source of intense overhead light is provided above the remote indicating assembly whereby shadow lines are cast by the guide lines 7 and 8 upon lumber L carried therebeneath by the conveyor 16. Usually, a guide fence 150 extends longitudinally along one side of the conveyor and may be movable transversely for positioning by one of the cylinders 3.

OPERATION The remote control system may be utilized for positioning a plurality of related mechanisms or elements, such as the circular saws 4, by a single operator stationed in appreciable distance from the elements. As illustrated herein, the system is employed to position the guide or shadow lines in accordance with the condition of the lumber to be sawn and thereby dispose the saws in conformity with the setting of said lines. The positioning cylinder shown in FIG. 2 has its actuating or saw setting rod 80 unlocked and partially retracted with the pistons 88 and 107 coupled or in abutting relationship and the other pistons fully retracted. Also, the remote indicating cylinder 5 is in neutral or zero position. FIG. 3 depicts projection of the saw setting rod a distance equal to the effective length of the coacting slotted and tubular rods 112 and 113. This outward ejection of the rod 80 is accomplished by energizing the solenoid valve 136 (FIG. 1) so that pressure fluid flows from the line 129 to the line 143 and into the cylinder bore between the pistons 110 and 114 so as to move said piston 110 to the left or outwardly a distance equal to the linear travel of the rod 112 relative to the rod 113 and whereby pressure fluid ahead of said piston is forced through the line 142 to the remote indicating cylinder 5 (FIG. 3). Since the rod 28 is stationary, being fixed to the plate 39, the cylinder barrel 27 is forced to the right or outwardly against the constant pressure of the fluid within the cylinder 42. Of course, the cable 7 moves with the barrel 27 due to the connection provided by the crossbar 17 whereby comparable movement is imparted to the guide or shadow line 7.

Simultaneously, the solenoid valve 135 is energized in such manner that pressure fluid is directed through the lines 140 and 141 to the bore of the cylinder barrel 79 between the bearing 93 and piston 88 as well as between the piston 107 and bulkhead or partition 111. Due to the vent bore of the rod 80, the pressure fluid between the latter piston and partition ensures contract of said piston with the piston 88 and movement of both pistons to the left or outwardly as far as permitted by the combined maximum length of the rods 112 and 113 (FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 11, the piston 107 has a greater effective area than the piston 88. When the pressure fluid is exhausted from the cylinder bore between the pistons 110 and 114 by energizing the valve 136, the piston 110 is moved to the right or inwardly by the pressure ahead or outwardly thereof as well as by the constant pressure exerted through the cylinder barrel 27 which forces pressure fluid through the line 142. Upon movement of the piston 107 inwardly or to the right with the piston 110, except when the rod 80 is locked, the piston 88 follows this movement due to the transmission of pressure through the common line 141.

The saw setting rod 80 is adapted to be locked (FIG. 4) in adjusted positions by energizing the valve 135 in such manner that pressure fluid flows through the line 139 to the counterbore of the cylinder. 3 for actuating the rod locking assembly 94. When so locked, a new setting of the setting rod may be preselected upon the venting of pressure fluid from between the piston 107 and partition 111 through the valve 135 whereby the constant pressure, within the cylinder 42 forces the pistons 107 and to return to neutral or retracted position. Since the only pressure within the cylinder barrel 79 is in its counterbore 95, the remote indicating cylinder moves in accordance with the volume of pressure fluid which flows from said cylinder into said cylinder barrel through the line 142. In the event that the new setting is greater than the immediately preceding setting as shown in FIG. 5, more than one of the solenoid valves 136-138 may be energized to direct pressure fluid to the bore of the cylinder barrel for actuating more than one of the pistons 110, 114, 117, etc. The movement illustrated in FIG. 5 is of both pistons 110 and 114 and their associated rods 109, 112, 113 and 115. After this movement, of course, the valve is energized to unlock the saw setting rod 80 and force the piston 107 to the left or outwardly.

It is noted that the pressure sensitive switch 77 (FIGS. 1, 7 and 8) is actuated to energize the solenoid valve 146 upon limited movement of the slide block 68 between the stop screws 75 inwardly or toward the right with the cylinder barrel 27 relative to the rods 28 and 66 and the fixed cylinder barrel 43 so as to vent pressure fluid from the constant pressure cylinder 42. Whenever the remote indicating cylinder 5 or 6 moves outwardly or toward the right, or the left-hand movement of said cylinder ceases, the electrical circuit of the valve 146 is such that the switch 77 is de-energized whereby pressure fluid is again applied to the constant pressure cylinder. As a result, the speed of the outward or right-handed movement of the remote indicating cylinder is increased and differential indicating errors are reduced to a minimum if not completely eliminated.

We claim:

1. A remote control system for positioning a plurality of related elements relative to one another including individual means remote from each element for indicating its position, individual first pressure responsive means for setting each remote indicating means in adjusted positions, and second individual pressure responsive means actuated in accordance with the actuation of one of the first pressure responsive means forsetting each element in the same relative adjusted positions as its respective remote indicating means.

2. A remote control system as defined in claim 1 including third pressure responsive means having connection with the first pressure responsive means for preventing actuation thereof independently of the actuation of the second pressure responsive means.

mental movement to an actuating member which has connection with one of the elements; and means for locking the actuating member in set positions during adjustment of the relative positions of the pistons and coacting rods.

6. A remote control system as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein each of the first pressure responsive means includes a pressure responsive cylinder having a coa cting piston and bar- 1 0 rel. 

